Welcome from the Vice President for Research

CWRU researchers are among the most distinguished in the world. We have 16 Nobel Laureates among current and former faculty and alumni, 4 members of the National Academies of Sciences, 7 members of the National Academy of Engineering, and 8 members of the Institute of Medicine. We also partner with artistic and cultural institutions on a broad range of projects that make important scholarly contributions in the humanities and social sciences.

Extraordinary research requires an outstanding infrastructure. Our Office of Research & Technology Management provides support to seek out grant funding, to facilitate industrial sponsorship, and to transfer university technologies to the marketplace. This is a place for people driven to make a difference, and our office exists to help them succeed.

Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland are pleased to announce that we are jointly hosting an OHRP Regional Conference this fall. Mark your calendar now, and keep an eye out for further updates and registration information coming soon!

Computing devices are machines used to acquire, store, analyze, process, and publish data and other information electronically and include accessories (or peripherals) for printing, transmitting and receiving, or storing electronic information. Computing devices costing less than $5,000 are not considered equipment and therefore are treated as supplies and materials. Therefore, if a computing device is to be acquired for use in the performance of a federal award, the computing device may be charged to the federal award provided that:

it is essential (i.e., necessary) to performing the work under the award, and

the cost is allocable and reasonable.

Determining whether a computing device is essential – The Principal Investigator should consider (and document) whether performing the work under the award without the computing device would be difficult and inefficient. An important measure of this is determining (and documenting) whether the anticipated cost of performing the work without the computing device is greater than the combined cost of performing the work plus the cost of acquiring the computing device.

Determining whether a computing device is allocable to a federal award – If a computing device is essential to and will benefit a federal award, it is allocable to that award. The cost may be allocated to a federal award even when its usage is not solely dedicated to it. However, the Principal Investigator should first consider the amount of benefit of the computing device to the project, and the cost should be allocated proportionally with a reasonable cost allocation methodology.

Determining whether the cost of a computing device is reasonable – The Principal Investigator must make an informed, prudent decision, taking into consideration not only the cost, but the utility, quality and value of the device to the project.

If a computing device is not essential to a federal award, it is not allocable (in whole or in part) as a direct cost to that award. In such cases, the computing device is considered to be a “general use” item and must be treated as an indirect cost expense (just like paper, pens and other general use supplies), and charged to an appropriate institutional funding source.

Please remember that all expenses charged to federal awards must conform to the cost principles specified in the OMB Uniform Guidance. Please consult with the Office of Research Administration if you should have any questions about whether you may charge a specific expense to federal funds.

Department of Defense

The Department of Defense has announced the following new funding opportunities:

The U.S. Soccer Foundation is accepting Letters of Inquiry for its Safe Places to Play program, which provides grants to organizations to help them build or enhance a field space in their communities. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded for the installation of field surfaces, lighting, and irrigation for field space in urban settings. All work must be done by one of the foundation’s four corporate partners — Hellas Construction, Musco Lighting, Hunter Industries, or Sport Court. Applicants must request a quote from the appropriate corporate partner no later than September 4, 2015.

To be eligible, an applicant must apply on behalf of a program or project operating in the U.S., and must be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, school, municipality, college or university, or sovereign tribal nation.

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